Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Very fresh, clean, the softest mousse on the planet. Beautiful citrus, most delicate of minerals, gentle spice, grand acidity, focused precision and balance for days. Excellent. Just overtly expensive. — 8 months ago

Paul Masson

9.0

A little too much Brett in this bottle. Or it’s just a root day — 10 months ago

Amit Srivastava

9.5

Terroir .. just amazing .. smooth and ripe to drink — 5 years ago

with Gunja

Larry Frierson

9.9

The wine of Martie’s birthday dinner. It just has it all. Verve, tart but not thin. Mouth filling body. Next to the 1988, my favorite Krug. — 7 years ago

with Craig

Jeffrey Lew

9.1

This was showing thinner than I expected. Light read with noticeable bricking on the rim. Bottle and cork were in perfect shape. Expected more. Not a bad bottle just didn’t have the depth of fruit and secondary’s I was expecting. Good not great. — 8 years ago

Randall Brater

8.9

Light with hints of tart and sharp raspberries. Just a little bit of earth. Ok, better with food and cheese than by itself. — 9 years ago

Rick K

9.2

Ripe cherry nose with subtle earthy notes. Just a hint of the merde. Really interesting, a little funky. — 9 years ago

Lamar Hannah

9.1

Really good juice big and bold. Just how I like it — 11 years ago

Jon Ruyle

9.1

Just a really good nebiollo. 2010 vintage. — 11 years ago

Tracy Hall

9.4

1994. At its peak or just past. Smooth and beautiful, balanced. Thoroughly enjoyed. wb — 12 years ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.4

Was maybe expecting a bit more from this. Think the bottle might have been just slightly off but still excellent. — 8 months ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.6

This was a gift from a close friend who worked for Silver Oak as a garden manager until they eliminated that part of their business. Beautiful color in the glass. Ruby with a hint of rust on the edge. Aroma is complex with berries and flint. Also just a hint of pine needles. Christmas trees. Flavors are full and fine. This is BIG BOY wine. Delicious. — 9 months ago

David Dorn

9.5

The kind of wine you never won’t to end… just sensational. What a beautiful expression of Napa and the wine was drinking beautifully with 15 years of age. — 10 months ago

William Bentley

9.6

We chose this as our Thanksgiving wine. I thought it would be a little robust for turkey and ham, but it was just perfect. Everyone loved it. Great memory... — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

Compared to a Spottswoode 06, this one seemed to have similarities but and it was over all this one has more tobacco and slightly less of the dark mature raspberry and black cherry. However, this one even after an hour was still a little disjointed and out of balance. I don't know if this is just on the decline or maybe a little bottle variation. I'd think about drinking this. — 8 years ago

with Dan and Shay

LM Segal

9.5

Leathery and red floral nose. After 1 hour decant, opulent, lightly spiced and earthy-red palate infused with dried mushrooms, iron and throughout with notes of garrigue. Punching way above its weight in a meh vintage...just entering a window that will last 10+ years. — 9 years ago

Mark E

9.4

Very bready just like we like it. Delicious — 10 years ago

Neil Cornish

8.9

Darn. Not showing tonight. Dominated by acid and tannin. Fruit just isn't ripe enough to hold up. Did better with food — 11 years ago

with Jon, Michael and 1 other

Rick Baumgarten

9.1

A bit of oxidation, but otherwise, just fine. Fruit still there. 1970, 45 year old wine for our 45th Anniversary. — 11 years ago

Kumar Sivananthan

9.9

Top bottle of wine. Maybe not quite as deep as some of the other years but loved it just the same. I need another. — 12 years ago

Dave Auerbach

9.6

Bright red fruits on the nose, and it follows on the palate. There’s a seriously structured core under there, with hints of vanilla and spice. 2011 vintage is at it’s prime now, and could be ideal for another 2-3 years. Just an outstandingly made wine. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2020 vintage. With @Beth Novak . Decanted and tasted after one hour. Medium body. Nose practically leapt out of the glass with plenty to discuss. Flavors a bit more subdued but definitely present. Just enough back-end, tannic presence to hold court. This should be absolute dynamite in 3-5 years. Initial visit a bit over two years ago (9.5) and was more explosive but will cede that to the last impression getting more air time. Said then that this was my fave since the 1991 vintage and sticking by that. 1.2.26. — 9 months ago

Paul Krzych

9.4

My second favorite after Ruinart. Lovely fine bubbles exuding citrus, orange marmalade, and just baked brioche. Delicious for brunch and Sunday football. — 6 years ago

Georg Salzner

9.5

what a surprise, just beautiful, sweet on tongue, well balanced and a long finish, still a real pleasure to drink — 7 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Dark ruby, bright, doesn’t look it’s age. Awesome funky old Cal Cab nose. Notes of cherry, cranberry sauce, dirt and some balsa wood. Some steminess. Great perfume. Nice in the mouth but missing just a little bit in the mid palate. Really enjoyed this. — 8 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.0

Tasted blind. Brownish red and cloudy. Opaque. Nose of cola, earth, cherry and Heath bar. Ok in the mouth but unfulfilling. Short finish. Tannins completely resolved. Liked it at first but with more air this collapses to notes of just soy sauce and port. Interesting to try. — 8 years ago

Robert Schneider

9.7

Just piling on with the other comments. Absolutely brilliant. — 9 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

9.9

My first #chateaurayas and now I understand the hype. Very Burgundian in style but this is just a unique wine deserving its own category. This wine had profound complexity and was perfectly balanced. It is so young. #chateauneufdupape #southernrhone #rhonevalley #grenache #ctbucklinwine — 10 years ago

Michael Mathews

9.1

At Redstone w/Shelly. Just back from Orlando w/Rettke. #pro — 11 years ago

with Rick, Jeff and 2 others

Alexis A

9.3

2002. Just as expected. Napa in Bordeaux. Red, not purple. Lovely elegance and length. — 11 years ago